Chapter 100: Fulfillment
A new late autumn arrived.
Human society entered a period of uneasy respite. After months of constant vigilance, the immediate crisis had passed, the pollution receding, the monsters dying off, even without human intervention.
Humanity began to rebuild, to reallocate resources, to analyze the events, to honor its heroes.
An Yue received a special commendation, becoming a world-renowned investigator, but… the name of the girl in the white dress was no longer mentioned.
Rumors circulated online, in hushed whispers, everyone with a story to tell, yet the details vague, obscured, only knowing glances and cryptic hints.
About the girl in white… some said that on the day of the fiery meteor shower, her powers had vanished, and she had fallen amongst the monsters, perishing, her death concealed by the authorities to prevent panic.
Others said she was a divine emissary, and with the god’s return, she had ascended, returning to the heavens with her deity.
Still others claimed she was just a fabrication, a role played by a government investigator, a deception to maintain morale, a lie from the very beginning.
And after all the speculation and rumors, someone would always ask:
“So… are there really gods in this world?”
They would exchange glances, then nod in agreement:
“Yes, there must be.”
“With monsters, how could there not be gods?”
“There must be, otherwise, how could the monsters have disappeared?”
“The investigators have special abilities, those abilities must be gifts from the gods.”
But no one had seen a god. Ancient myths and legends resurfaced, the stories of gods rewritten, faith renewed.
And yet, at this very moment, a true god, a bouquet of tulips in her hand, walked along a sunlit street.
The god, Akhe, wore a beige trench coat and a long black dress, her expression gentle, the golden tulips in her hand like flickering candles, accentuating her pale skin and striking beauty.
Passersby stole glances at her, some even so captivated by her beauty that they almost bumped into each other. The god, however, was oblivious to their attention, her gaze fixed on the girl beside her, a soft warmth in her eyes.
The girl beside her, at first glance, seemed ordinary.
Her figure was slender, her clothes simple, a thick, brown cotton dress reaching her ankles, a white sweater clinging to her thin frame. Above her long, delicate neck, a pale, young face, its features refined, yet with a hint of aloofness.
She walked beside the beautiful god, her arm linked through Akhe’s, occasionally glancing at her, her amber eyes reflecting only Akhe’s breathtaking beauty.
They walked together, two figures strolling along a sunlit street on an autumn afternoon, seemingly unconcerned with the world around them.
They cared only about each other, a single glance, a single touch, more significant than anything else.
People passed by, their gazes filled with a curious awe, speculating about their relationship, but none could guess the truth. Lovers, perhaps, but were they truly just lovers?
No one knew that they held the fate of the world in their hands. No one knew the struggles, the sacrifices they had endured, for this world, for their love.
And now, finally, after a long and arduous journey, they walked side by side, under the warm autumn sun.
Akhe gently patted the girl’s hand:
“Are you tired? Let’s sit down for a while.”
The girl was, of course, Xiang Er, and she readily agreed, following Akhe to a bench beneath a shady camphor tree.
As soon as she sat down, Xiang Er, as if boneless, leaned against Akhe, her head resting on Akhe’s shoulder, her eyes closed, like a contented kitten.
It was a habit she had developed during their long confinement, a constant need to be close to Akhe, in every way possible.
It had been over two months since Akhe’s return, and this was their first outing, Xiang Er’s first time leaving the apartment.
For two months, Akhe had pampered her, preparing elaborate meals, giving her massages, helping her exercise, slowly nursing her back to health, the color returning to her cheeks, a spark of life reappearing in her eyes.
Now, aside from her pale skin, a consequence of avoiding sunlight, Xiang Er’s health was finally restored, and Akhe felt comfortable enough to take her out.
Xiang Er, watching the passersby, suddenly asked:
“Are there any more… monsters for you to fight?”
Akhe looked around:
“I’m not sure, but since I came back, I haven’t left your side, and An Yue hasn’t contacted me, so I assume… there’s no need for me.”
Xiang Er:
“Ah… so you’re not making any money now?”
Akhe was momentarily speechless, her beautiful eyes blinking, then she turned to Xiang Er, her voice playfully petulant:
“Are you disgusted with me now?”
Xiang Er:
“…You’re putting on an act again, in broad daylight.”
She pinched Akhe’s cheek, her grip surprisingly strong, and teased:
“What if I am?”
Akhe’s lips pursed, her eyelashes drooping dramatically, her voice exaggeratedly soft and vulnerable:
“Then… I’ll just have to go back to being a CEO and provide for you, I hope you don’t mind…”
Xiang Er, remembering her previous job, a nostalgic tone in her voice, said:
“A CEO… I liked that, a domineering CEO falling for me, it gave me something to look forward to at work.”
Akhe’s eyes narrowed, and she looked at Xiang Er, whose gaze was fixed on the bustling street, lost in thought.
The golden tulips illuminated Xiang Er’s face, her cheeks slightly puffed, a childlike longing in her eyes, the pain and sadness gone, replaced by a gentle warmth.
She must… still miss “Shen Yuhe.”
So, the next morning…
Xiang Er woke up, and not finding Akhe, her heart immediately sank. She got out of bed and, as soon as she stepped out of her room, the small eyeball wrapped its tentacles around her ankle.
The small eyeball chirped, rubbing against her leg.
Xiang Er couldn’t help but squat down, picking up the small eyeball and holding it close. It had hatched over a month ago, a new being, without the memories of its past self, but its affection for Xiang Er remained unchanged, its habits the same.
Xiang Er thought this was good, the small eyeball was still so young, it didn’t need the burden of those painful memories, the memories of her own breakdown, it should just be a carefree little creature.
Holding the small eyeball, Xiang Er walked towards the kitchen and almost bumped into Akhe. Akhe, her back to her, was carrying several plates of food, her tentacles carefully balancing them, and placed them on the table.
Xiang Er, relieved, couldn’t help but smile. Akhe, having set the table, turned and, without a word, kissed Xiang Er, a long, tender kiss.
“Good morning… after breakfast, I’m taking you somewhere.”
Xiang Er noticed, with surprise, that Akhe was wearing a business suit, the tailored trousers accentuating her long legs, giving her a charming, almost powerful aura.
Xiang Er wondered, was she trying to recreate her “CEO Shen” persona?
After breakfast, Xiang Er got into the passenger seat of Akhe’s new car, and as they drove, the route seemed increasingly familiar. Xiang Er, a premonition growing, turned to look at Akhe, who smiled mysteriously, her eyebrows raised playfully.
They passed many familiar landmarks, the subway station, the coffee shop, which was now even more popular, a long line of customers waiting outside.
The car stopped at the parking lot of the industrial park, and Akhe got out, smoothing her jacket, her hair cascading over her shoulders as she turned, her voice carrying an air of authority:
“Come.”
Xiang Er took her hand, and they entered the building, taking the elevator to a familiar floor.
It was where Xiang Er used to work.
They had taken this elevator together countless times, so many memories, so many unforgettable moments. But now, it was a different company, no familiar faces, even the cleaning lady was new, all traces of the past erased.
They walked down the hallway, and Xiang Er asked:
“I wonder… what happened to my old company?”
Akhe said:
“It went bankrupt, as far as I know, several of the executives were arrested for tax evasion. Do you remember Zhu Minmin? She’s a professional web novelist now, her latest novel is apparently called “Office Romance: The CEO Pursued Me 99 Times,” it’s a huge hit. Do you want to read it?”
Xiang Er, just hearing the title, could imagine what it was about, a mixture of amusement and embarrassment, and after a moment, she said:
“I’ll… ask her myself, it would be weird to read it without her permission.”
If she wanted to, Akhe could access any information in the world, but social etiquette still mattered, and Xiang Er wanted to get the author’s permission first.
Akhe led Xiang Er down the stairwell.
Xiang Er, suddenly feeling nervous, asked:
“Have I… never been to your company?”
Akhe nodded, glancing at her with a smile:
“Bringing the boss’s wife for a tour, it’s perfectly reasonable.”
Boss’s wife… Xiang Er blushed.
The company occupied the entire floor, its offices bright and clean, a modern, upscale environment, the employees energetic and efficient.
As soon as they stepped out of the stairwell, someone recognized Akhe, his eyes lighting up, and he immediately bowed deeply, his posture reverent, almost worshipful:
“CEO Shen! You’ve finally… finally returned… we haven’t seen you in over a year! But please rest assured, the company is running smoothly…”
Akhe nodded casually, offering a brief response, then led Xiang Er into the main lobby, and the entire company erupted!
Everyone stopped working, rushing towards them, bowing and scraping, some even kneeling, tears streaming down their faces, expressing their longing and admiration for “CEO Shen,” their voices choked with emotion, their gazes fervent, like devout followers finally seeing their deity…
And Akhe, standing amidst the crowd, calmly said:
“Meet your new boss, she’s my… partner, and she’ll soon be the company’s major shareholder. This company, including all of you, is my gift to her. Call her CEO Xiang.”
The employees, without a hint of dissent, immediately turned to Xiang Er, their voices raised in unison:
“Welcome, CEO Xiang!”
Xiang Er, mortified by this display of fervent devotion, quickly grabbed Akhe’s hand and tried to escape. But Akhe led her to an office, where she signed some documents, then had Xiang Er sign as well.
Xiang Er signed without even looking, then asked:
“What was that?”
Akhe:
“This company is yours now. Just like I said, it’s a gift for you, so you won’t…look down on me for not making any money. I’ll manage the company for you, you just have to enjoy the profits, how about that, CEO Xiang?”
Xiang Er was surprised, but she didn’t refuse, a smile playing on her lips:
“Alright, CEO Shen, if you don’t manage it well, I’ll punish you.”
The sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the flowers on the desk, Akhe’s profile, sharp and defined, a hint of her former, seductive “Shen Yuhe” persona, and Xiang Er, unable to resist, kissed her cheek.
“Punish me how?”
A tentacle snaked out from under the desk, and Akhe’s beautiful face, a playful smile on her lips, watched Xiang Er’s flustered reaction.
“You… don’t be ridiculous, we’re in the office…”
“Indeed, CEO Xiang, this is your company, I wouldn’t dare. But… you seem to be enjoying this, CEO Xiang.”
“I… I’m not… mm… hah…”
“CEO Xiang… Little Ears… I want to give you… everything.”
After a passionate interlude, Xiang Er, her clothes disheveled, lay in Akhe’s arms, her cheeks flushed, her lips swollen, her eyes glistening, as she looked up at her lover.
Akhe’s dark eyes also shimmered, and she gently caressed Xiang Er’s cheek, her voice soft:
“I want to… share my abilities with you, but if I do, you’ll become like me, you won’t be human anymore, what do you… think?”
Xiang Er was surprised:
“Share your abilities?”
Akhe’s eyes held no hesitation:
“Yes, give you half of my power, so you can be like me, live for eons, travel the universe, even choose another planet to… reside on, become… a new god.”
Xiang Er’s eyes widened, her heart pounding. She had never considered this before, she had only wanted to be with Akhe, for this lifetime, she hadn’t imagined living beyond a human lifespan…
If she had still been with Shen Yuhe, she probably wouldn’t have agreed, she would have wanted a normal, human life with her lover.
But now, she was with Akhe.
Akhe had an endless lifespan… but she only had a few decades. Akhe would stay with her, until she died, but what then?
Akhe’s voice was soft:
“If you don’t agree, then… when you die, I’ll die with you.”
Xiang Er was shocked:
“But… I… what about Earth?”
Akhe’s dark eyes, deep as an abyss, stared into hers:
“Without you, I don’t care about Earth.”
Xiang Er exhaled:
“You truly are… a bad god.”
Akhe smiled gently:
“I am a bad god. But I’m a loved bad god, the luckiest bad god in the entire universe.”
In the end, Xiang Er decided to think about it. She had a lifetime to decide.
And before that, she would do everything she wanted to do with Akhe, savor this love, this feast of happiness!
After all, they had time, their youth still vibrant.
Their lives, nourished by love, they would live happily ever after, a long and beautiful life, the envy of all.
And now, it was just the beginning.
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